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Monday, July 23, 2012

Finally! I can finally say that I painted the studio dresser. It took me almost an entire year along with countless polls and paint swatches to finally select a color and get my rear in gear. And I am so glad that I not only waited, but that I finally got. it. done.

I figured the dresser would be a great, slim way to add a bunch of studio storage for items like fabric, extra school supplies, miscellaneous "in progress" projects and decor pieces. All those extra things that really have a hard time finding a nice home.

The storage has been working swimmingly, however, the color, not so much. I thought about white, but we have SO much white already. I thought about yellow, but after working on the adjoining playroom, I wasn't sure yellow was "right". I thought about turquoise, and even painted some onto the side of the dresser to see for sure. Nope. Wasn't right either. And with future plans in my brain to build in more white cabinetry, I thought something a little darker would be a nice balance.

That is when my gal, Emily, introduced me to the color Restless Sea by Behr.

She was using it on some furniture in her home, and I fell instantly in mad love. I knew it was just the color I had been searching for. And it helped in a major way to see it already being used on furniture.

Since the dresser is a cheapo veneer dresser, I knew it would need some work before painting. It also had a small water mark on the top.

We used fine grit sandpaper to sand down the entire dresser. The point wasn't to scratch it up, just to even it out and give it a little texture to help the primer and paint get a nice grip.

Since we were also planning on swapping out the hardware, we also used woodfiller to fill the old hardware holes and ran the sander over the dresser fronts as well.

After sanding, the dresser was wiped down with a damp rag, and then a thin coat of oil based primer was used to cover all of the visible surfaces.

After the primer dried, the next day I got to painting! It was looking lovely, but once it dried, we realized that our woodfiller had shrunk a bit, so we added some more, resanded, and painted another coat.

Much much better!!

Except those drawer insides and sides. Oh boy. Those needed to be painted also. So they got a few coats of white paint which made a major difference. So happy I didn't skip the important details!

You know me and my obsession with lining drawers... being that this is my studio workspace, I thought it would be fun to add some fresh pops of color to make me smile each time I open the drawers. And wrapping paper never lets me down!

Measure, cut, spray {adhesive} and pop it inside!

For the new hardware, I took advantage of a recent D.Lawless coupon code I shared during a giveaway I was hosting, and picked up ten of these pretty ladies.

Ready to see the lovely results?

Once again, a little paint, a little hardware, a whole new piece of furniture!

The charging station moved from our bedroom area to the studio, since I was finding the phone a distraction throughout the night while I was trying to sleep.

The fresh flowers are a nice addition to the space as well. If only they could last foreva!

Now for the glorious before and after:

Oooh, and it feels oh so awesome to have another project checked off of the ol' top ten project list! Wahoo! I love the way the blue pops against the gray blue walls and white trim and doors. I love the white hardware against the beautiful blue backdrop. I love all of the storage and that it was an old Craigslist frog that turned into my handsome prince of a dresser.

Anyone else painting some furniture recently and totally swooning over the end result? What are your favorite furniture color choices?

I typically use Minwax Polycrylic protective finish when working with higher traffic furniture like our entertainment center, however, I skipped that step this time but I still may do it at a later date depending on how it wears.

What a difference! I am curious, what finish was the paint? Also, was it regular interior paint? I have some furniture to paint, but in the past I have had mixed results with how well the paint held up.

I used a Glidden Interior paint in satin finish. Paint tends to cure over time, so within a few weeks, it should be nice and durable. The primer helps with that as well. And if painting higher traffic pieces {tables, entertainment centers, etc...}, adding a protective poly finish is always a good choice.

Could you give some tips on how you apply your Polycrylic? I recently painted a dresser and it looked smooth and beautiful until I applied the poly- and it streaked so bad that I now I brush stokes everywhere! I tried a light sand and several other methods of applying it (sponge brushes, etc) and got air bubbles instead. I'm frantic since I spend so so much time on this dresser, but really need the protective coat on it since it will be used in my 4 year old's room.

I used a Glidden Interior paint in satin finish. Paint tends to cure over time, so within a few weeks, it should be nice and durable. The primer helps with that as well. And if painting higher traffic pieces {tables, entertainment centers, etc...}, adding a protective poly finish is always a good choice.

Oh my goodness! I have the exact same "before" dresser in my home at this very moment which my husband and I were gifted when we first got married! It is not awesome, but I am loving what you have done to yours. I feel so inspired now to give it a facelift now! Thanks for the lovely post!

Ooh la la, gorgeous shade of blue - looks amazing! Love how you have accessorized around it, the yellow lampshade is a great contrast. I am currently painting a vintage chest of drawers with Annie Sloan chalkpaint; I hope it looks half as good as this!

Amazing transformation. Inspires me to try it! How do you get these projects done with the boys around? Are they not the mischievous get into Mama's stuff types? Or maybe that happens as they get older...mother of very young children hoping? :)

I think they have gotten used to playing and living around projects {we have been DIY'ers since they were itty bitty}. We do our best to work at night while they sleep and project in areas away from their spaces.

I used a Glidden Interior paint in satin finish on the exterior of the dresser. Paint tends to cure over time, so within a few weeks, it should be nice and durable. The primer helps with that as well. And if painting higher traffic pieces {tables, entertainment centers, etc...}, adding a protective poly finish is always a good choice. As far as the drawers, I had a gallon of white Behr Premium Paint & Primer in one already on had, and I used two coats of that and it seemed to do the job perfectly.

I, too, would like to know where you found your wrapping paper. I can never find stuff like that and I love the prints. I'm about to paint a dresser but was not sure of the color to use. I'm definitely putting this on the list!

Yes, please, I'd love to know where you got these ones! They are so beautiful! I typically use scrapbook paper for a lot of things, but that limits the size I can use them on. Wrapping paper is such a perfect idea!

seriously, this is beautiful! Love the navy blue and love the idea of putting different color drawer liners inside each drawer, like a little pop of surprise color each time you are putting away clothes!

We have an old upright dresser sitting in our garage that is the exact same style as the dresser you refinished. Seeing the process that you used to refinish it actually makes me think that I can do it too! Thank you for the inspiration!

I had some brushed nickel pulls but they seemed to be a bit too much for the space {but they may not have been the "right" ones}. Oil Rubbed Bronze may look great as well. I always play around with hardware, so if I find another option, I just may go for it! :) Until then, I really love how the white pops against the rich blue and ties in all of the other white in the space. Maybe when once the studio is done and I can show a full view of the room it will make more sense.

The dresser looks amazing! I am trying to find a color for our office. What is the color of the wall behind the dresser? I love it! The only problem is it looks different in some of the photos... some light some darker. I like it ligher for whatever reason.

This is fantastic! I always see old pieces of furniture that are usually hideous at Goodwill or even on the side of the road, and I see their potential. I only wish I had the space and time to do this and have awesome unique furniture. Someday! This is great. Thanks for sharing!

Gorgeous Gorgeous Gorgeous!! Did I mention that the color is gorgeous? lol I also love that you painted the inside of the drawers. Can you tell about painting the inside of the drawers? What type of paint did you use? Did you paint the inside before or after the outside? Any tips/tricks on painting the inside?

For the inside and outside of the drawers, since it was a little bit of an after-thought, I used some white Behr Premium Paint & Primer in one, which I already had on hand. I gave it two coats of that and it seemed to do the job perfectly! I just made sure to let it cure a few days before lining them with paper or filling the drawers.

HiIts so so awesome...Here in India painted furniture is not seen much...secondly almost nothing is done by us we get it made by a carpenter or buy it outright from a store...But this is so creative.. I love the space inside the drawers too..Where did you get these wrapping paper? My Sis stays in the US so I can tell me to get me some...How I hope I could do something like this too... which paint did you use for the outside its so good and well painted too..Keep up the good work...

Jen! So beautiful and inspiring!! I would like to throw in an additional request for a post about wrapping paper for drawer liners. :) Wondering if that pretty pic of the lining in your kitchen is wrapping paper, and if you use it in other kitchen cupboards for dishes and if it holds up, or do you laminate it or ... post please! Love, love, LOVE your blog and your style. Thanks for doing what you do!! Several (okay many) projects have come about because of your blog. I don't know if that's a great thing or not because I'm a very tired stay-at-home-mama to two (youngest four months), but I guess making my house beautiful is what I like to do in my "me" time. :)

Thanks for enthusiasm! There was a huge desire to change design of furniture. However there was a fear. Thanks to you, there was a confidence that everything can turn out! I thank you for your work. I heart, Larissa

The dresser turned out beautiful. I also love repuposing and recently completed my work space with cabinets that came from a friends kitchen. They were white wash that had turned pretty pink over the years. It was alot of work but so worth it. I also have a passon for orgainizing. Hope you'll stop by and take a look at my work here http://kimberlycb101.blogspot.com/2012/07/my-little-piece-of-heaven.htmlLove your blog! Kim

I think it looks great and I love your white knobs. Thanks for the answers above about what kind of paint you used. Do you have any trouble with the paint feeling "sticky" or items placed on top sticking to the paint? I refinished a vanity for my daughter's room and some paint easily came off, plus has chipped off in a few places since then. I did let it cure for several days. Maybe I need to use a different primer - you used oil based, but mine was latex. Do you think that makes a big difference? Thanks! LOVE your blog and your writing style.

Hmmm, not sure that how the other primer would impact the end result, I have always used oil based. How is the humidity where the furniture is located? They may impact it. I also try and do very thin coats and let it dry for at least a day in-between if possible.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time spent reading your blog, and this was no exception:-) Can you share about how much money you spent doing this dresser? I often wonder how much it would cost me to do projects like that. Thanks!

WOW! Serious eye candy! Great color selection, and love the drawer liners! Hey have you heard of Annie Sloan chalk paint? It is all the rage here. My friends are painting furniture like mad! It's non-toxic, no sanding or priming required, and you can also distress it. It's the bomb! I have a high chair in my garage that is ready for some! www.anniesloan.com! -Rachael @ FrugalFaye

This was one I was looking forward to seeing and you have exceeded my expectation ...awesome job! I am most excited to see when you update your home tour with new pictures because it seems like there has been a lot of changes lately happening in the Jones's house and a lot if swap-a-roos with items! :)

I have been thinking of revamping one of my dressers and have been searching for inspiration all over the place without finding exactly what I was looking for. But this is perfect!! I love that you chose different colors and patterns for lining the drawers. I have a hard time committing to a color and I think that is the perfect way to combine all of the colors you love without disturbing the look of the room. Great job!!

Love this! I was wondering if the dresser is solid wood, or if it more of a veneer finish/ particle board type. I have a chest of drawers that looks similar to yours, and I want to refinish it, but didn't know how to do it.

Jen, this dresser is GORGEOUS!! I recently re-did an old craigslist dresser ($10, oh yeah!) but it did not turn out as well. It had LOTS of dings and dents and then ended up with some pretty good brush strokes...so I called it rustic ;DAnyway, how fun to find another "iheart" blog! Our budget is certainly organized but our home is a different story! I'm very excited to continue checking out the blog!

Love the idea that you tackled this with the veneer. I have a kitchen table I have been toying with refinishing but have been told not to bother if it has veneer. The table has been through a few moves and is chipped and could use some love. How did you find info on painting with the veneer? Would love to make sure I have everything I need to take on this project. Thanks and love all your inspiration!

I am so inspired by your blog! Not only do you have impeccable taste in decorating/organizing/DIYing. . . You also show how anyone can do this on a budget. I love it, and I admire your desire to help others make their homes (and lives) prettier. :)

Hi- I am attempting to paint a similar dresser - did you use a roller or paint brush? It was recommended for me to try spray primer & paint but it is very messy so going to start over. I need easy with a baby & would like to cut out the sanding & just use a primer then paint.Thanks for any helpful tips.

Beautiful! I'm getting ready to tackle a big credenza that we got on CL for a steal.. Found your blog by accident, looking for images of grayish blue painted furniture and am hooked! Will browse more, am a bit of a newbie as long as DIY furniture is concerned (painted a few smaller things and sew too), so I'm doing my homework as I don't want to mess it up! Your dresser came out amazing :)

Hi! My husband and I just spent an entire weekend (plus two days of my week sanding and prepping) re-painting up a 5-piece dressers/nightstand/desk/hutch set for our 7 year old daughter that was an awesome Craigslist find. I was looking at how to line her drawers and found your blog. Yay! I LOVE the idea of using wrapping paper to line the drawers - fabulous, since there are sooooo many more options than with contact paper and I would NOT have thought of using a bunch of different patterns in the drawers of one dresser but what a great idea. Especially since I now have 13 drawers in my daughters room to line! I HAVE To know - WHERE DID YOU GET THAT STARBURST MIRROR above the studio dresser??? I want one for my bedroom but they are hard to find. I couldn't even find a link to get one off Houzz.com. Love your ideas - thanks for being you!

I found the mirror at Pier1 quite a few years back. I have since seen similar ones on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000RJ6JB8/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000RJ6JB8&linkCode=as2&tag=iheaorga-20

I came across your site once more! I am needing to redo a dresser for my boys' room and was looking for the perfect blue and also a tutorial so it gets done right. I searched pinterest and low and behold your blog came up. Thank you for all the inspiration you have given me to do with what I have and to try and organize my life...not always easy with 3 little ones and one on the way! Your blog is my happy place.

I love this, I have the same dresser in my daughters room I have a (two set) the taller dresser has been sitting in the garage for a year and it just does not go with the rest of the house, , I never even thought of painting them. I am so doing this now!

This color on the dresser! I love it! I think it is what I have been looking for.... but obviously it's not in person. I want a grayish blue to paint an ugly old china cabinet. I want to paint the inside of it a turquoise type of color that pops through the glass doors. In your opinion having this in person, do you think that combo would look nice together? And is your color a bit more blue than the photos might look?Thank a bunch! Looks great!

It really depends on the lighting. In the photos above, the dresser is in a windowless room with overhead lighting. You can see the dresser in natural light here: http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/2013/03/making-some-changes-in-master-bedroom.html It is a deep sea blue so it does have some turquoise in it, but it also comes across on the navy side too.

Hi Jen! Thank you very much for your response! The link you gave was great - helps a lot with the comparing of the color it really is :DI still think it is a fantastic color - I appreciate the help, and I may just be going to get some of it soon ;)-Ali

It's AMAZING what a fresh coat of paint and some pretty prints can do to a dresser. We have an old white dresser in our basement that I am itching to fix up and make pretty and useable but I have not had the time or the inspiration to do so just yet. This really makes me want to tackle that dresser! I just have to figure out what color would work best with black floors?

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